### 175

Once the puzzling is done and the successful wagers have all been paid out, the taproom settles down and the patrons resume their drinking and convivial conversations. Quang and Deng both won their wagers, but it does little to lift Deng’s sullen mood. The innkeeper leaves his counter in the capable hands of his two sons and comes out to mingle with his customers. The storms have been good for business and he is in high spirits. When he passes by your table, Quang stops him and asks if he has any room for the night.

‘I’m sorry, my Lord,’ he replies. ‘We’re completely full. Even my attic and stables are occupied tonight.’

‘Do you know if anyone is crossing the estuary before nightfall?’ asks Quang.

‘Not if they know what’s best for them. There’ve been no boats on the waters for the past three days. The ferry is closed and the fishermen are all safely tucked up at home. Well, those that aren’t in here that is!’

With each passing minute new customers enter the inn until the taproom is bursting at the seams.

‘It’s time to leave,’ says Quang. ‘There little chance we’ll find anyone who’ll take us to Dwala in here.’

You gather your backpacks and leave the overcrowded inn by way of its back door. An alleyway runs alongside the building and you use it to return to the quayside.

Turn to 202.